N.H. Lawmakers Expected to Vote on Marriage Equality Repeal Bill Next Week

New Hampshire lawmakers are expected to vote on a bill next week that would repeal the state’s marriage equality law.

Sources familiar with the legislative calendar indicate that the vote will likely take place on Jan. 18. The measure is expected to pass in the Republican-controlled state Legislature, but Gov. John Lynch, who signed the marriage equality bill into law in 2009, has said he would veto the measure. It remains unclear whether there are enough votes to override the governor’s veto.

Marriage became an issue on the campaign trail ahead of the state's Republican presidential primary on Jan. 10, with former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum facing particular scrutiny over his strong opposition to marriage equality in the days leading up to the vote.

"I think it's just one of the catch phrases," said Peterborough resident Eric Rothhaus at the Breezeway in downtown Manchester on the eve of the primary when asked about whether marriage had been discussed too much on the campaign trail. "It's whatever the current thing [is] and I think that they're trying to get votes."

A University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll in October found that 62 percent of Granite Staters support the marriage equality law, and 44 percent of them said they would consider voting against any lawmaker who supports the repeal bill.

Standing Up for New Hampshire Families earlier on Thursday unveiled a second ad that features a Claremont Republican, Craig Stowell, and his gay brother Calvin. The pro-marriage equality group’s first ad began airing on WMUR late last month.